Frandsen feels Phillies' roster pinch

Philadelphia Phillies' Kevin Frandsen reacts after grounding out to Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Friday, July 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies started what will be a busy roster dance Sunday, and did so with a move that is at least mildly surprising.

The Phillies outrighted infielder Kevin Frandsen from the 40-man roster, although he remains in big-league camp if he so chooses. The veteran, who led the majors in pinch hits last season with 14 and was third in pinch-hit RBIs, has 72 hours to decide to accept the removal and remain with the organization or opt to become a free agent. The hitch with choosing free agency is that Frandsen would cede the $900,000 guaranteed contract he has with the Phillies.

That money certainly played a role in why the 31-year-old wasn’t claimed on waivers by the other 29 teams. That didn’t soften the blow for the veteran, who had a glazed expression on his face as he walked into the room with general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and manager Ryne Sandberg to get the news following the Phillies’ 5-1 win over the Twins. Frandsen left Bright House Field without comment and turned down an opportunity to comment when reached later in the evening.

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“We’re in a situation now with many of the injuries that have happened and the things that have occurred this spring to try and create some roster space for us,” said Amaro, who greeted Frandsen with a loud, warm salutation before giving him the news. “That’s what we’ve done.

“We still think he can be a valuable part of our club. But he’s competing. Just like he was before, he continues to compete for a job on the bench.”

Amaro refused to acknowledge whether the decision to put Frandsen through waivers had been made before the team realized utility man Freddy Galvis had developed an infection on his knee that was diagnosed as MRSA Friday.

Regardless of the timing, the move means Frandsen is in a crunch to retain his place on the bench.

Working in his favor is a reputation as a guy who can give quality pinch-hit appearances. Working against him is his limitations in the field — he’s largely limited to playing either first or second base these days, whereas non-roster invitees Ronny Cedeno and Reid Brignac are skilled on the left side of the infield — and the fact that he struggled at the plate both in the second half of last season (.192 average after the All-Star break) and this spring (.206 average, no extra-base hits, no walks in 34 spring plate appearances). Since Brignac is a left-handed hitter, he has less of an influence on Frandsen’s future than Cedeno.

As for Cedeno, he wasn’t very electric with the bat last season with Houston and San Diego (.242 average, 73 Ks in 288 PAs), nor has he been this spring (4-for-21). Hitting better than both has been Cesar Hernandez, who is batting .258 after going 1-for-2 Sunday. While the Phillies have been reluctant to put young players they believe have starting potential down the road on their big-league bench, Hernandez is a switch-hitter, which would make him more valuable there.

Hernandez, a second baseman by trade, has played some shortstop at the minor-league complex in recent days and was at third base for four innings against the Twins, showing a strong and accurate arm to first base.

“He showed it at shortstop in the minor-league games, too,” Sandberg said of Hernandez’s arm. “I see him getting continued work at shortstop in minor-league games. Today was a last-minute decision to see him at third base. He has been progressing so well in his pregame we wanted time to see him out there.

“I’m looking at numerous guys who could be that (reserve shortstop and third baseman). So that verdict’s still out. Guys will get some chances and give us some time to make some decisions.”

The Frandsen move reduces the number of players on the 40-man roster to 37. With pitchers Cole Hamels, Jonathan Pettibone, Ethan Martin, Miguel Gonzalez and position players Darin Ruf and Freddy Galvis guaranteed to start the season on the disabled list, and reliever Mike Adams likely to make that number seven, the Phillies are going to need to add a handful of non-roster invitees to the 40-man in the coming days. Non-roster outfielders Bobby Abreu and Tony Gwynn Jr. seem to be locks to be on the roster Opening Day, and it’s likely two of three non-roster infielders — Frandsen, Cedeno and Brignac — will be on the bench. The Phils also are likely to add at least one pitcher — either Scott Camp or Jeff Manship — to the opening roster, and come April 13 they will need a fifth starter, with Manship and David Buchanan the leading candidates for that task.

That means the Phils need at least two more 40-man roster spots cleared. Moving someone like Gonzalez, the disappointing Cuban signee from last August, to the 60-man D.L. is probable, and the organization seems to be flush with lackluster minor-league outfielders crowding the 40-man.